Authorities said 25-year-old Kristen Reynolds dropped someone off at work at 4:30 a.m. Monday in Morris but never returned home. A family member retraced her route, and noticed damaged to several trees along Interstate 65 in Warrior. He went to investigate, found her car and called police.

According to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office, Reynolds was traveling northbound when her 1999 Ford Escort left the roadway, went down an embankment and struck several trees. Her uncle discovered the wreckage just before 11:30 p.m. Monday when he went looking for her.

Police and paramedics responded, and pronounced Reynolds dead at the scene. Alabama State Troopers said the accident remains under investigation.